Sir, I refer to your item, Pop figures get political (February 21).
Singer Annie Lennox, who intends to vote “yes” in the independence referendum, was quoted as saying: “There is an opportunity for something innovative and visionary.
“Scotland could have some kind of new, ethical, visionary stance and it could take on some new ideas.”
As a celebrity who may influence the voting intentions of her fans and others, Annie should elaborate on these nebulous ideas so that they can be scrutinised as to viability in relation to hard reality.
I suspect that there are intending “yes” voters who are not specially interested in mainstream issues such as currency, EU, defence, etc, but will vote on the basis of the sort of thing articulated by Annie, whose public statement may unfortunately swell their numbers.
The prospect of votes cast on the basis of vague romantic notions swinging the referendum result in favour of separation is worrying.
Arthur Davis. Kinnaird Steading, Pitlochry.
It will run out regardless . . .
Sir, Like Mr Geoff Bray (Letters, Saturday), I too am a pensioner living in Scotland. What I can’t get my head around is people bemoaning what will happen to things like pensions in the event of a “yes” vote when North Sea oil revenues run out. I’m sorry, but these same revenues will run out for a Westminster Government as well. What then?
The difference is Scotland intends to build a fund for future economy while the oil revenues are still there, similar to Norway. Oh I can hear the cynics already: “Oh, the Norway thing.” Well I’m sorry, but the facts speak for themselves. Norway now has a fund of 815 billion dollars amassed.
As a pensioner I have to ask myself in whose hands my pension would be safest, an independent Scotland building a fund for the future, or a Westminster Government wasting all these funds (as they have done in the past) on Trident nuclear missiles? What is it the young ones say, “it’s a no-brainer”?
Robert J Donald. Denhead, Ceres.
Mony a mickle maks a muckle
Sir, If we are not to retain the pound or introduce the euro following independence perhaps we could revert to older Scots concepts and trade in mickles and muckles.
In honour of the Declaration of Arbroath I suggest 1,320 mickles to the muckle.
Susan Stevenson. 7 Oxford Street, Dundee.
We need the help of friends
Sir, Last week I received through the Royal Mail service my National Entitlement Card. It is, in reality, a rather grandly titled bus pass.
I have no idea when it was launched but since it is emblazoned with the cross of St Andrew I would suspect it was under the jurisdiction of the SNP.
However my attention was drawn to the return address on the envelope, it was to a technology park in Hull.
My immediate thought was that surely a country such as Scotland would be able to manufacture and send a document such as this without the help of our neighbours, friends and partners in the UK?
Just what would an independent Scotland do without the help of the Royal Mail and assistance from friends and neighbours in the UK?
Willie Robertson. Grianan, Lynton, Stanley, Perthshire.
Be proud, not downhearted
Sir, I was extremely disappointed in Paul Ward’s reporting of Team GB Curlers’ marvellous accomplishments (February 22). Reporting the men’s award, his first paragraph included the words “remain heroes” and “despite defeat”. His fourth paragraph starts with “Despite disappointment”.
These young men have spent four solid years thinking of nothing else but qualifying initially for the Olympics and then getting into the medal round. They have worked and trained hard constantly to achieve this. They reached their goal and exceeded it by winning a silver medal.
It’s a fantastic result going to Sochi where they met the world’s best. They played wonderful curling throughout, including David’s superb shot which took them into the final.
If you think of the curling population of the majority of the countries which enter, compared to Scotland where all our curling Olympians are from it’s a magnificent result in which the whole country should take pride.
Also, this attitude which is becoming increasingly prevalent that only gold will do, is not encouraging. Many people will think that anything other than this is failure, when nothing could be further from the truth.
Some may have aspirations towards a gold medal, but we should encourage participation generally. Even to take part in the Olympics is superb and a wonderful experience for young people in this troubled world, where friendships across countries, nationalities and religions can be forged.
We should stop this typically dour Scottish downbeat reporting and rejoice wholeheartedly in our GB Curlers’ outstanding efforts and achievements.
Karin Scott. 20 Pitbauchlie Bank, Dunfermline.